What Was the Race of the Year in 2009

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You win. It was definitely Rotterdam, a truly incandescent world beating race, though I may well longer remember the still unknown and woebegone Maggie Vessey coming up from dead last to first at the Pre.

You win. It was definitely Rotterdam, a truly incandescent world beating race, though I may well longer remember the still unknown and woebegone Maggie Vessey coming up from dead last to first at the Pre.

Some dude did pretty well in the women's 800m.

Rotterdam only happened because of Wanjuri's race at Beijing in 2008. THAT race changed how the top guys will run for a very, very long time.

What about the Penn Relays COA high school 4x800? That was a crazy race.

I haven't gotten as excited watching any race in a long time as I did during the WC 5k final. I was on the edge of my seat for the first part of the race, watching 3 Americans working their way up the front, then I was screaming "USA USA USA!!!" at the top of my lungs when Lagat made his move, then pulling my hair out as Bekele went by him for the win. Would have loved to see Lagat take it, but it was a real privilege to watch that race. Truly awesome.

agree with you WEJO...plus these...

Chris Derrick winning Pre nationals....I didn't think anyone could be Sammy...good day or not!

and JennyB lapping everyone indoors including 2nd place

Shannon Rowbury USA outdoor.....what a kick with 600 hundred to go....still can't believe she caught Worth.

Rupp shoe comes off and I think it could possibly be over.....not even close!

Allie McLaughin taking 5th at NCAA....time 20:01!..WOW

For me personnaly it was Ritz's AR. I missed it live, but found it exciting enough to go back and watch several times. I also believe it will be a gateway to many more great US performances in the near future (ala Teg also breaking 13)

Rotterdam may truly be a better choice though for what it means on the International level.

I'm going to say Galen Rupp's entire 2009 season. It will be awhile before we see a season long performance like that again.

I agree, though I'll give the ritz 5000 a close second. Picking off one person at a time, every second thinking he can't do it, then maybe maybe and then thinking he was going to challange for the win (he didn't but he had me believing for a second). The brit announcer was even going crazy. But for sheer GO USA excitement, the wc is the race.

themanontherun wrote:

I haven't gotten as excited watching any race in a long time as I did during the WC 5k final. I was on the edge of my seat for the first part of the race, watching 3 Americans working their way up the front, then I was screaming "USA USA USA!!!" at the top of my lungs when Lagat made his move, then pulling my hair out as Bekele went by him for the win. Would have loved to see Lagat take it, but it was a real privilege to watch that race. Truly awesome.

favorites of 2009

http://www.letsrun.com/photos/2009/worldsWomenMarathon/imagepages/image25.php

also, @ Worlds marathon the 2 french women who hugged the IAAF mascot after they finished close to last in the 2:40s (cant find the pic)

Is this a man?

http://www.letsrun.com/photos/2009/worldsWomenMarathon/imagepages/image27.php

and here at least 2, maybe 3, should be gender tested

http://www.letsrun.com/photos/2009/worldsWomenMarathon/imagepages/image33.php

i was being sarcastic simpleton.

as american races go i HAVE to go with Meb winning NY, an american won a major marathon he got the most press outside of running (aside from bolt) and it was really a breakthrough for us marathoning

as a race i'd give it to the men's 5k wc KB and lagat slugged it out and it was grea

definitely barringer's ncaa xc finish. hands down.

when barringer bonked, the camera views of the backside were awesome! sucks though because I wished she had a better race.

Penn Relays guys high school 4x800

The Waterboy wrote:

The race of the year I think easily could have been the WC 10K if both Kitwara and Sileshi Shaheen were in it. That field would've been so stacked beyond what it was.

Since they were not, however, I cannot pick a race of the year. I don't think anyone can imagine what that 10K would've been like with both Kitwara and Shaheen in the mix for that race. On paper/what it was suppposed to be with no one kicked out/injured it would've been the best.

euh... make it Sihine (mr Silver) and Shaheen (the steepler).

I think Rotterdam def changed marathoning, although best competition of the year was the Berlin highjump with Vlasic and Friedrich.. the crowd, the mental battle, the show...

best race.... Bolt vs. Berlino! (the latter is the numero uno star of 2009 T&F)

These are America's T&F champions from the top world races last year (IAAF Berlin, top marathons). Our American champions:

Jessica Beard

Christian Cantwell

Kerron Clement

Lashinda Demus

Debbie Dunn

Allyson Felix

Trey Hardee

Natasha Hastings

Mebrahtom Kefleghizi

Lionel Larry

Bershawn Jackson

LaShawn Merritt

Dwight Phillips

Brittney Reese

Sanya Richards

Angelo Taylor

Jeremy Wariner